Karachi: Experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan has emerged as the front-runner to take over Pakistan’s T20 captaincy from Salman Ali Agha, who faces the axe from the squad for the shortest format.
Information gathered from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insiders Wednesday indicated that big changes have been lined up in the Pakistan T20 squad ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka, starting October 9.
“Shadab Khan is the front-runner to be appointed the T20 captain while Sahibzada Farhan is a close second. If Shadab is given this responsibility, Farhan will be his vice-captain,” an insider informed.
Shadab has led the national T20 squad as a stand-in arrangement in the past, while Farhan is presently in Japan for the Asian Games, leading Pakistan.
Shadab, 27, who has appeared in 124 T20Is, 73 ODIs and 6 Tests, has the backing of head coach Mike Hesson who wants him to lead the team into the 2028 T20 World Cup.
“Hesson has also shortlisted Shadab and Farhan for the captaincy role, which will no longer be with Agha.”
Agha who has led Pakistan in the T20 format since March, 2025 but his recent loss of form and his disappointing show in the Test series in England apparently makes him a liability for the Test and T20 squads.
But he will remain a part of the ODI set-up.
The sources said Babar Azam will be given another chance to establish himself in the T20 squad, but he remains a certainty for the Test and ODI squads.
“There will be changes in the white-ball squads as a number of young players will be given preference over seniors and fast bowlers. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are also out of consideration for the Sri Lanka series,” he added.
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